A negative phase II trial methylene dimethane sulphonate in advanced ovarian cancer (Cancer Research Campaign Phase I/II Trials Committee)

Methylene dimethane sulphonate (MDMS), the first member of the homologous series of dimethane sulphonic acid esters, was administered to 19 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. All patients had received prior chemotherapy and in addition 3 had received prior radiotherapy. MDMS was given as an i.v. bolus injection at a dose of 125mg m-2 and repeated in a q35 day schedule. Ten patients received only one course, six two courses, two three courses and one four courses. The major toxicity was thrombocytopenia which was cumulative. Serious neutropenia did not occur and no infective episodes requiring i.v. antibiotics were seen. Seven patients experience hair loss and four nausea and vomiting. Sixteen patients were evaluable for response but no objective remissions were seen although three patients had stable disease lasting at least 8 weeks. MDMS is therefore not recommended for further trial in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.